Lawsuits give new meaning to MLK Day symposium festivities

This year's Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Symposium at the University features hundreds of events focusing on King's legacy and ideas. But this year's activities have an additional significance in light of the two lawsuits filed against University admissions policies.

"The symposium gives us an opportunity to reflect on the life of Rev. King and the things he stood for," said Assistant Provost John Matlock, the director of the Office of Academic and Multicultural Initiatives.

Lester Monts, associate provost for academic and multicultural affairs, said the symposium has gained importance because of recent lawsuits challenging the University's admissions policies.

"This year, the observance of MLK Day has particular significance at the University of Michigan," Lester Monts said. "In light of the lawsuits that have been filed challenging our admissions policies in the Law School and LSA, we must pay particular attention to the forces that will set us back decades."

The symposium, expected to draw more than 12,000 people, features hundreds of events and planned activities. Highlights include keynote speaker and Harvard Prof. Cornell West, author of the best-selling book "Race Matters" and considered one of the nation's pre-eminent African American intellectuals; lectures by Dolores Huerta, co-founder of the United Farm Workers Union; and John Trudell, the national chair of the American Indian Movement; and a concert by the Boys' Choir of Harlem.

Many symposium events will focus on issues relating to affirmative action, Matlock said.

An affirmative action colloquium, featuring University Provost Nancy Cantor, Law Prof. Charles Ogletree, rap artist Chuck D., and others will take place Monday.

"I think that (the symposium) is historical for this university and nationwide, especially in light of the lawsuit," said LSA first-year student Lensi Goshu. "It's important for people to understand that we should have equal rights. It's a celebration of differences, but we're all equal."

Other symposium highlights include a day-long community service project, "Acting on the Dream," and a unity march sponsored by the Black Student Union, both on Monday.

Events began Saturday with a photo exhibit at the University's Museum of Art, titled "Dust-Shaped Hearts: Portraits of African-American Men."

"We want to honor and continue Dr. King's work, and maintain the dialogue that he would if he were still alive," said symposium coordinator Tara Young, an Office of Multicultural Initiatives program coordinator.

The theme of this year's symposium, "Why We Can't Wait," is taken from a passage from King's "Letter from Birmingham City Jail."

"Martin Luther King, Jr. was a proponent of affirmative action in higher education," Monts said. "He believed that access to education was a key component in the struggle toward racial equality. The many events held in observance will remind us that work still needs to be done, and that challenges to our admissions policies are simply another version of George Wallace standing in the school house door."

The majority of symposium events take place Monday, a University holiday and King's observed birthday. Events continue throughout the month.

Many student groups and academic departments, including the Black Student Union Alianza and La Voz Mexicana, helped plan the symposium.

"It's a day off of classes, but it has a great educational aspect. A lot of people don't know what Martin Luther King, Jr. stood for," said LSA senior Dedra Miles, a minority peer adviser at Mary Markley residence hall and an organizer of an affirmative action panel Monday, titled "Affirmative Action, Why Now?"

More information on the symposium and listings of all events can be found at http://www.umich.edu/~oapama/mlk98.

01-16-98